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Jakesprinter is back in gear and he has been providing some inspirational ideas for blogging. Inspirational quotes. It’s been a rough couple of months here with the monsoon and all so I’ve decided to take up the challenge and at least once a week post something that inspires me in the hopes of inspiring you and therefore re-inspiring me. It just so happened that this morning was the first time I saw the sun and the mountains in quite awhile.

For my first inspiration I am going to combine morning views from my balcony as well as some quotable quotes from a very inspirational friend of mine. All of the below quotes and photos were taken from her wall. (With her permission) Except for the pictures from my balcony. She never claimed to be the originator of the quotes and some of them might not even been her that said them … though I believe most all of these have come directly from her heart.

I cannot change yesterday, but what I can change is today.

Heading for a weekend of Cell phone and Facebook free time. Swimming and chatting with some amazing friends. I could not ask for a better life.

Remember to take, a moment each day to count the endless blessings in your day.

Back in da day

Every single morning I search out this friend’s Facebook page because she never fails to post an insightful thought or word of encouragement to anyone who will listen. Sometimes it’s just a goofy picture of her or her friends and family that causes me to smile. I don’t think she even realizes how much her words and photos encourage me each day. Here’s to you Franny… Thanks for just being you and thank you for sharing. Love ya.

Living in acceptance is an amazing place.. Today is the first day of the rest of my life, watch me fly…
Looking forward and not backwards because really, I did not leave anything behind that I truly need today.
Sending joy for your hearts my friends and family…

Morning on my balcony

What you would never guess about Fran by reading her posts, quotes and well-wishes is she that she is a survivor. Every time I see her or chat with her online she is living proof that no matter what goes on in your life there is hope. You, and only you can really make a decision to save yourself. She never shirks accountability and is humble enough to share her joys and sorrows. Though she does focus more on the first then the last. She INSPIRES me on a daily basis. I cannot, for even a second believe that I am the only one who is inspired. Now that’s inspirational!!!

Just taking a moment to reflect on the blessings that life gives me each day. Friend’s traveling to see one of the great wonders of our state Coulee dam. . And the moments we take on our own deck enjoying the gifts from my children. Oh and the time spent checking out the chickens with a special grandson after a good night rest.

I never want to lose sight of these moments and countless blessings.

So take the time to seize the moments in your life.

The blessings are truly endless.

Women’s Campout.

Posting July 17 –

I love this post because I lived for a long blaming others for decisions I had made. Today I know that have been blessed with the ability to make choices that I can own and live with every day..
So the message; I leave you with today, turn right, or turn left. Take one step back or two steps forward.and before you know it you will see all the blessing left by you making your own choices.
Life is amazing.

Posting from Fran July 28 – her birthday.. just one more day, month, year to be thankful. Thanks for the reminder.

Thank you all for the wonderful Birthday wishes. It truly means so much to me. I had the best day ever. For me it was about not making it about me. So many times in my life I would fill my head with great expectations only for none of them to come to light.

So yesterday was about spending time with the women that help me learn to live life on lives terms. Then it was like magic my boys called to wish me a happy birthday I do not know how they knew when I would be home but there timing was impeccable.

I never could have dreamed of the life I have today. Thank you all for being a part of my life. I am truly blessed.

She’s a woman who loves life, her friends but especially she loves her family. I mean don’t we all. However, do we all express it so well?

My sister just posted pictures of my son’s at state finals. Not only do I have amazing boys. I have an amazing sister that captures the true love of horses that my sons have for riding and competing.
Thank you sis…… I so so love you and the time that you put into these amazing pictures. I could never put into words what this means to me.
Thank you again…
Congrats to my boys and the amazing men they are… If you click on this site and go to the album marked M and B Lyngstad you can see my boys and how handsome and amazing they are…

WOW Sorry about the ego but they are my boys…

So thankful to my sister that captured such great memories. I am a very blessed to have such handsome and kind son’s.

Some people are blessed with one sister,

maybe two… I am so lucky, I got three!!! And let me tell you, they are AMAZING!!

Love my big sisters!!!

WOW my sisters look great. What a blast from the past. High school days so many years ago.

Beautiful family and beautiful sister love.

For flash back Thursday I’m reminded of a true cowboy my daddy. I laugh because turned the TV low and behold gunsmoke is the first thing I see is Matt Dillon riding a buckskin horse.

See my daddy was like Matt Dillon kind loving and oh so handsome. Days may come and go but the love of my daddy will never fade. Just as the reruns of Gunsmoke.
So my message today is people my leave our lives but there memories will forever last in our hearts.

This morning as I came up the stairs and the aroma of corned beef filled the air. I was magically transported to days of yesterday. Days of my daddy cooking for the ones he loved. Uncles cousins, grandkids, kids, grandma, and his friends countless to go boxes and pounds upon pounds of corned beef and cabbage, baby red spuds.
I guess should say the best part of the day was the joy it brought to my dad. His eyes would sparkle and his brows would curl up in his devilish way and he would laugh the whole day through.
So many times we forget that family and friends are the glue that pieces our lives together.
So today I challenge you to pause and thank some of the glue that has bonded your life together.
Thank you . Sending you blessings from my heart to yours.

Time with the grandkids never goes unappreciated.

Its because the kids just make me smile… Nothing better than time with them…

I am still missing a few pieces of my life, but what I have put back together is more amazing than ever.
So just always remember piecing your life back together can mean positive changes. Take the time to put the pieces back one at a time, and you will never regret the process.
Sending joy and happiness to all my family and friends.

Morning on my balcony

Well on this my friday in the office day.. My heart leaps as, I await the arrival of my son for the evening.
Its amazing, no matter how old my children get how much my love grows for them every day… I am such a blessed woman and so grateful I can see what a blessing they are in my life… This is something I never want to forget.
I wish this blessing for all my friends and family. Sending love to you and the ability to always see the countless blessings in your lives…

So if nothing changes, if nothing changes. Its again time to take action…
Life is about change. What are you willing to do? Are you willing to go to any lengths for that happy ending to an amazing day.
Looking forward to change………..

I feel like I know her family as well as I know my own .. I know I don’t but she’s such a proud mother and is not afraid to express it. I love this and it’s a reminder of how we should all treat all of our family. Thanks Fran. Don’t ya kind of want to hang out with them?

Counting the endless blessings in my life this morning.. After a weekend a way I see my beautiful niece will become a bride oh what joy that brings to my heart to see her filled with joy.. I see a picture of my son and his father riding hand in hand and the tears of joy of a bond that can never be broken.
Sometimes in life its not about what we get to do, in life, its the simple joys of seeing life in action in others. Hearts that go pitter patter, or the love between a father and a son… Again the endless blessings and joys of life that make me so so grateful for the gifts I have been given….
So just for one moment today look outward, find the joys of others, give some joy to another and at the end of the day take that moment to count the endless blessing and the gift we have been given…

From Childhood to Adulthood, no matter the change or struggle Fran has known how to have a good time.

Happy Halloween.. to the ones I love..

People laugh at me when I tell them this is my favorite holiday but as far back as I can remember Halloween was the day you got to be anyone you wanted to be or not be.

The days we laughed at the memories of my mom making us eat the hot dogs and sauerkraut that I love today before we could go out trick or treating.

It was a time to come together as a family laugh see good friends and see pure sugar joy on the faces of children and adults.

In my memories will live the days of the pack of little skunks, the herd of cow’s the package of oreo’s and one giant glass of milk, the pumpkin patch. The year the we had the entire cast of the Wizard of OZ.

And truly what is more cool then an inexpensive meal that feeds the soul and does not kill the pocket book. The love of family when we come together to laugh and watch kids grow up. I wish all holidays could be so amazing.

I hope that you all have an amazing Halloween and take the time for a meal with family and watch the children grow and laugh…

Living in the here and now.. Because if I trip over what tomorrow may, or may not bring. I am screwing myself of all the blessings I can truly receive in today…
So pardon me; as I head out to enjoy the amazing gifts, of watching the tree’s turn from green, to the amazing colors of fall. Then I am going to jump in my car and head out to see some amazing friends in Arden for some reading and laughing…
I am still free today to make a choice to live just for today…
Sending the gift of choice to you my friends and family.

Posting from Fran Dec 2013

As time passes it doesn’t get any easier. Today would have been mothers birthday and I’m having a tough time being without her today. Tears have come and gone all day. My mother was an amazing woman who would have given anything she had to some one in need. She was tough when she needed to be soft and sweet when she thought you weren’t watching. I love and miss my mother everyday! Happy Birthday Mom! Celebrate in Heaven!

Memorial to Fran’s mom

My own mother passed in 2005. Every year, especially around Christmas I really think about my mom. This particular post inspired me to express my feelings and properly grieve for mom.

Morning on my balcony

This morning was absolutely full of blessings…I have not gotten kids off to school in forever let me just say starting your day baking muffins and making sausage and eggs.. Brushing a little one’s hair and find a solution for the child that does not have just the right shirt to wear for the day..
These are truly blessings that can not be erased. Oh I would in a minute go back to raising children all over today to have these blessings every morning..
Life never has to be full of the things we have to do. We can pause and reflect on the things we get to do.
I know, I can not turn the clock back to change the past. I can look forward to the future of Grandkids and and the little people we get to have in our lives to love for free and for fun…
So my message today, is take a moment, to enjoy the blessings that just magically appear out of no where.
Have an amazing weekend all…

Morning on my balcony

No matter what never judge the nut by its shell because you never can tell what it may be later in life…

My hair may be gray..I may not look like a supper model. I have joy in my heart. As far as I can tell thats enough…
Remember we are all different,

we just get to be who we are nothing more nothing less.

Sending happiness and much joy to the ones I love…

Life is like a book of endless chapters. In the last few years I have opened and closed many chapters of my life. Which has shown me the way of growth and faith.

The best part is I could have never predicted all of the amazing blessing’s I have today. I am not talking about material things I am talking about the things that matter the most in life. Love…. Faith….. Trust………..

Morning on my balcony

Imagine if you can.. this was only about one year’s worth of inspiration…

Jakesprinter’s Theme this week is Reality. To further define his theme he goes on to say:

Reality is the state of things as they actually exist, rather than as they may appear or might be imagined. In a wider definition, reality includes everything that is and has been, whether or not it is observable or comprehensible. A still more broad definition includes everything that has existed, exists, or will exist.

As I have been traveling and working my way through Nepal I’ve seen some happy, sad and interesting things. On my recent trip to a couple of towns near the Indian border I was faced with a few realities that in my perspective were CRAZY and strange and some were just plain horrible. Don’t get me wrong I’ve seen some amazing things as well. But in MY reality, some things were just not ok. Whether it was a safety issue or just cleanliness and abhorrent living conditions.

What would happen to your reality if you were taken from it and placed in some of the above scenarios? How would you feel? Would you be afraid? Would you be disgusted? Would it be exciting and thrilling or would you reject the reality and try to run from it? Would you go back to your life and attempt to forget it or tell stories about how very unfortunate these people were and how terrible their lives were? Would you be able to accept that this is just how life is for a large portion of the world? I would like you to challenge yourself and place yourself in these realities and for just a minute pretend that it is in fact your life, your reality. How do you feel? Could you do it forever? What if you had no choice? What if that’s all you knew?

“Reality is funny, Your’s will always be different than mine.” ― J.S. Riley

Is your reality better than another’s reality? If it’s all you know then it’s all you know. There is nothing unusual or sad. You still have dreams and hopes and desires. You can be happy even in a reality that appears unacceptable to someone else. Maybe some things should just be left alone. Sometimes we can bring people to a realization that their reality is NOT ok and that in order for them to be OK they need to change everything about their reality. Which eventually causes their situation to be worse for them than it needs to be. some people are actually happy in their reality.

Sometimes you need to take a step back to really understand the entire picture. You have to remove yourself from your reality because things really can be uglier if you are too close to the things you are seeing. I’m not saying don’t reach out a helping hand or try to intervene to make someones life better. I’m just saying try first to understand and accept their reality and not judge it or try to change it based on your reality or your ideal of reality. Not everyone wants YOUR reality.

“I can understand, he said, that many people, many perfectly ordinary people, have an interesting story to tell. No one’s experience of life is valueless.”
― Michael Frayn, The Russian Interpreter

Like this:

Jakesprinter’s May 5, Sunday posting Attraction brought some awesome submissions from others and was also a great theme for me to catch up on some activities that I have been participating in with my guests and between my studies. I hope you enjoy visiting these images and might just be inspired to come check out the DC area.

So from sailboat rides to wine festivals…capital buildings to Naval Academies.. Navy memorials to police memorials…historical re-enactments to inspirational sayings and statutes.. welcome to my neighborhood.

Ohhhhh Jake.. This week’s Sunday Post theme really touched me. I will start by saying I’m not a very sentimental person. At least as far as material things go. I’m very sentimental about close friends and definitely sentimental about my kids and grandkids. Other than that.. not so much.

I can’t begin to say how many things I have lost due to theft, travel damage or just inattention. I think these losses are some of the reasons I don’t hold many things physically or even in a sentimental position in my heart or head. I do believe I posted a picture of one of my most recent total losses in a prior post.

Having said that. I do have few objects that have managed to stand the test of my times.

You can see my diary there. I was given that diary in 1977. I wrote in it for about 5 days straight and like most 10 year olds forgot about more than I remembered it. I have now been writing in this diary about once-eight times a year, depending on the year. Yup, about 36 years. It’s so funny to go back and read some of what I wrote. It appears I spent most of my life as a whining hypochondriac. I read my first few entries to my daughter and she laughed for about 3 days. If you have read any of my past blog entries, you might not believe me. But here is proof.

I know, It’s a little embarrassing but at the same time, so funny.. AND I was only about 10. Still, “knee joints and pains in my neck” at 10??? I think we should be able to look back and laugh at ourselves for some of our ways of thinking and acting.

In the first photo there is a small container of marbles that a friend sent me to go along with an un-usable board game. When I say board game, I mean a real “board” that he fashioned out of a real tree. Unfortunately the board did not make it to me whole but I’ve kept the marbles. The other container once held my very first grown-up watch. It now holds some precious stones that I carry around with me for some reason.

You will lastly note in the first photo a tin container. I’ve carried this container around for about 20 years. It always has some random objects, papers, photos in it. Most of it not important to anyone but me. The photos I have in this container are held in a tiny envelope. They are photos of me as a child and one random photo of my youngest daughter. I love to pull these photos out on occasion and just chuckle at how they used to make me feel and how I feel now as I look at them.

Thanks Jake for that very fun and precious walk down memory lane. Now off to my studies. Enjoy.

The act of arranging or being arranged like Places, living things or collection of things that have been arranged.

So starts the Sunday Post Challenge from JakesPrinter. It’s an interesting challenge because in reality, nearly everything is arranged. We arrange schedules, people and objects all for a variety of reasons.

There is the natural arrangement of words to give sense to things..

Hello! My name is Samantha.

नमस्ते। मेरी नाम साम हो।

Hola! Mi nombre es Samantha.

I’m not extremely particular person in regards to how I like things organized. Well, mostly. O.k. I guess I am pretty particular. Things just make sense when they conform to a specific natural arrangement. Arrangements make things pretty. Arrangements make things interesting.

favorite arrangements are in 3’s

Love 3’s-Most things I arrange are in 3s

Beer flight arranged quite nicely

Arrangements can sometimes cause one to pause and think about why things are the way they are.

Shopping carts not quite arranged outside my window.

Cornish game hen arranged and interesting to look at. A little bizarre if you look too long.

Arranging things can lend calm to a frantic mind and it also makes certain things easier to locate.

Every day when I sit down to study. I arrange my items very specifically in a manner that is most conducive to learning. It’s the only way I can operate and think and learn.

I find it amazing and frustrating that no matter how I arrange things in the beginning, in the end.. well in the end..

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I am Sam

Just a little girl in a big world. I've been saying this about myself since I joined the Navy back in 1984. Someone once asked me if I stole this quote from Marilyn Monroe. I was naive enough at the time to think that I could have come up with anything that original and said "No, I made it up."
“I am good, but not an angel. I do sin, but I am not the devil. I am just a small girl in a big world trying to find someone to love.” ― Marilyn Monroe I am once again in the middle of starting a new career path. I am loving life and just want to share a few of my travel adventures with some of the people I love the most.